AMAZING News For Downton Abbey Fans This Morning!

Entertainment

Posted on September 19, 2016
by Deirdre Fogarty

AMAZING news for Downton Abbey fans this morning, as it has been confirmed that a movie adaptation of the hit period drama is in the works - and Dame Maggie Smith has already signed on to reprise her role as Violet Crawley!

The revelation comes just months after the final episode of the much-loved series aired, and the addition of Smith puts a "stamp of quality" on the production, according to one of her co-stars.

"She elevates it to something else, because she is such a legend and a national treasure," Michael Fox, who plays Andy Parker, said at the BBC America's BAFTA Party on Saturday.

"It becomes a different show and she puts a stamp on it of quality.

"She is one of those actors you look at, and say, 'How on earth do they do it?'" the Brit actor continued.

"Everyone says Maggie gets the best lines - they are funny on the page, but she makes them exceptional - she is really special."

The Daily Mailexclusively confirmed the news this morning, nearly a year after Smith herself admitted that she wasn't sure if it would be possible for her to return should a film go ahead.

"By the time we finished, she must have been about 110," Smith pointed out during a taping of The Graham Norton Show. "It couldn't go on and on, it just didn't make sense.

"What age would she be?"

The movie is slated to begin production next year, although creator Julian Fellowes didn't give too much away about where the story would be headed.

"I think it will be fun to get everyone together," he admitted, "and move it to a larger scale because you have got more money to spend."